Iraq War: 20 years since US-led invasion of Middle East nation to topple Saddam Hussein

A Gold Coast doctor who lost his son in law on one of Australia’s darkest days took aim at the prime minister over a speech which he said politicised his family’s loss.

IT was impossible to escape the beating drums of war in March 2003.

The focus of the world was squarely on the Middle East during the build-up to the “shock and awe” campaign.

Next week marks 20 years since the US-led invasion of Iraq began, igniting years of conflict which cost more than 300,000 lives.

The controversial War on Terror conflict, which forced the downfall of its long-time dictator Saddam Hussein, was justified by ultimately false claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.

Then-Prime Minister John Howard in 2003. Picture: Scott Radford-Chisholm

None were ever found.

The conflict was hotly debated here on the Gold Coast in the weeks leading up to the invasion beginning and during its early days, long before it became clear

Then-prime minister John Howard found himself in hot water after linking the previous year’s Bali bombing attack to the upcoming war.

Gold Coast doctor Bruce Whelan lost his 32-year-old son-in-law Shane Walsh-Till in the October 2002 attack and said he was furious that it had been politicised.

“How can we stop it, please, if all of these people who’ve already experienced these terrible things don’t want to go to war,” he said.

“It’s just been hell for months. Since Bali my life has fallen apart. How can we stop this war?”

Bruce Whelan in 2003. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Gold Coast Muslim leader Syed Tariq pleaded for the United Nations to step in and halt the invasion.

“We must stop the aggressor and the killings,” he told his Labrador congregation.

“We are part of the peace process,” he said. “We must join with all others in trying to stop the war.”

Local federal MP Steven Ciobo argued in favour of war, arguing in a speech to parliament that it was “morally and legally right”

Smoke covering the presidential palace compound in Baghdad on March 21, 2003 AFP PHOTO/Ramzi HAIDAR

“I have heard their calls for more time, the plea that peaceful disarmament remains an option,” he said.

“However, the more I listen the more I cannot see past their flaws.

“Calls for more time lack intellectual rigour.”

Gold Coast councillor Ted Shepherd, the father of two serving soldiers slammed anti-war protesters.

Gold Coast Bulletin March 19, 2003

Gold Coast Bulletin March 21, 2003

“It is devastating for these young people – most of them are young – to actually be vilified publicly for doing their job,” said Cr Shepherd.

“To show any negativity or lack of support is certainly, I think, irresponsible.

“The extreme attitudes that have been thrown at these people about their involvement in the Gulf is wrong.”

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